Misawa celebrates 50 years of BSC

Misawa celebrates 50 years of BSC

Each year, the Air Force celebrates Biomedical Sciences Corps during a week-long observance.

Comprised of 15 primary specialty codes, the BSC is the most diverse corps in the Air Force Medical Service and stands by its motto, "United in the Mission."

This year marks the 50th Anniversary of the Corps, and the 11 BSC career specialties found at Misawa (public health, physician assistants, dietary services, physical therapy, biomedical laboratory, pharmacy, bioenvironmental engineering, aerospace and operational physiology, clinical social workers, clinical psychologist and optometry) will be recognized for their achievements during this year's observance Jan. 26-30.

"Misawa's BSC has 21 officers with a support staff of approximately 80 enlisted and civilian members," said Maj. Jennifer Baker, 35th Medical Support Squadron base pharmacy flight commander and BSC member. "You will see us in various places throughout the 35th Medical Group and Wing. BSC officers are a pivotal part of our population's healthcare needs."

The BSC's mission is to enhance Air Force combat capability and effectiveness by providing world-class customer service and scientific expertise, resulting in peak force performance, productivity and quality healthcare to the beneficiary population.

To accomplish this, Misawa's BSC personnel work year-round to ensure members of the 35th Fighter Wing remain healthy by scheduling annual preventative visits for all active-duty members and monitoring healthcare risks and the base's drinking water, and providing food and safety training for air show vendors and local restaurants.

"Misawa's BSC offers continual support to the base with multiple specialties having 24/7 on-call support and being recognized for various achievements at the wing level," Baker said.

The Biomedical Sciences Corps was created in 1965, after the 1949 Air Force Medical Service was derived from the 1920 Army Medical Administrative Corps and the Sanitary Corps of 1917. Since its inception, the BSC's range of personnel has expanded to include a wide variety of medically-trained professionals.

Now, members of the Corps can be found at 81 locations around the world, embedded within operational units, serving at every level of medical command, and leading staffs at the major command, forward operating agencies and Air Force levels. They also invest heavily in research and a host of other vital roles to meet the demands of the Air Force mission.

"Misawa's BSC is extremely proud of our 50-year history," Baker said. "We have grown and changed as a corps throughout the 50 years, and have become a diverse corps that supports the medical and overall Air Force mission."